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511 makes public debut Tuesday

Just in time for the holidays, Idaho’s new 511 travel information service will offer motorists an easy way to access road and weather information. The service will make its public debut at a press conference Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the District 3 maintenance yard sand shed in Boise.

In addition to the press conference, television and radio ads will air statewide beginning Monday. One of the television spots features ITD’s Tim Gawron of Information Services. Click below to see the commercial or listen to the radio messages.

By dialing 511 or by visiting 511.idaho.gov , travelers can get updates about winter driving conditions, weather reports, emergency road closures and tourism.

511 is an example of how ITD uses technology to improve customer service and safety. At its core, 511 is part of a department-wide effort to improve safety and is the first statewide safety initiative following the Governor’s Safety Summit last month.

“511 is designed for continual updates when conditions change. Within minutes, information can make its way direct from the snowplow cab to the 511 phone system or Web site,” says Charles L. Winder, Idaho Transportation Board Chair. “This kind of timely information will provide a higher level of accuracy to travelers.”

The new service replaces the Idaho Road Report, which provided updates four times daily about road conditions and emergency road closures.

View the video
Listen to the audio

Published 11-18-05